2024/25 Zwift World Series Performance Verification

 Performance Verification

All of the Zwift World Series events including the Open Qualifiers will be subject to Performance Verification. AthleteAnalytiX will be providing independent performance verification for all events.

In order to participate in any of the events, riders must have completed the AthleteAnalytiX pre-verification process during a relevant window in advance of event detailed in Appendix A of the Zwift World Series Rules and Regulations -  http://cdn.zwift.com/broadcast/zws/Zwift_World_Series_Ruleset_v1-0-0.pdf

For the 2024/25 season there will be two pre-verification windows. We encourage any rider that would like to take part in any of the season to target the first pre-verification window as this will provide the most opportunity.

Pre-verification Dates Window

Notes

Completing pre-verification during Window 1 will provide racers with access to all the Zwift World Series events and Zwift Games 2025 (subject to qualification)

Completing pre-verification during Window 2 will provide access to Race 3 of Zwift World Series onwards and Zwift Games 2025 (subject to qualification)

Window 1 Window 2

22nd July - 23rd August
16th September - 13th October

This event will be governed by the Zwift World Series Rules and Regulations which has been distributed to participants alongside this Rule Book. A copy can also be downloaded here.

Zwift reserves the right to make any modifications to the Zwift platform and/or rider accounts to enable any aspect of the Zwift World Series events.

Performance Verification

Window 1 for the performance verification process starts on the July 22nd, 2024 and ends on August 23rd, 2024.
The portal for submission of the data to AthleteAnalytiX - https://cyclingdatalogic.com/dashboard will open on August 1st, 2024.

If riders need to do their tests prior to the portal being open we recommend that they save the required files safely ready for submission.

Riders should be looking to do the test as close to peak form as possible so that their test data represents their peak physiological abilities.

Any questions about the performance verification process or requests for exceptions outside of the window should be sent via email to AthleteAnalytiX at help@athleteanalytix.ai

Hardware Regulations

• During the Zwift World Series events, you must be riding on one of the following smart trainers or bikes - please note if you use any other unit, your result will be annulled, and you may be removed from the race:
  ○ Tacx: Neo 2, Neo 2T, Neo Bike, Tacx 3M
  ○ Wahoo: Kickr v5, Kickr v6, Kickr Bike v1, Kickr Bike v2, Kickr Move and Kickr Bike Shift ○ Elite: Justo, Justo 2 
• The trainer or smart bike must be the same unit as you have registered as part of the pre-verification process. 
• It is mandatory for riders to use their smart trainer (or bike) as the primary power source, cadence sensor and
  controllable device, connected to the game client. 
• It is mandatory to dual record your performance using a secondary power source (see ‘Dual Recording’). 
• All riders must connect to Zwift using a single device (PC, mac, tablet or phone). Zwift Companion must not be used for bridging or pairing to the game and riders may not be logged into another instance of Zwift at the same time. 
• By participating in Zwift World Series riders consent to AthleteAnalytiX monitoring all available data from your smart trainer (or bike), for the purposes of performance verification. 
• Zwift will automatically set the in game trainer difficulty level for Zwift World Series events to 100%. It is recommended that all riders practice with 100% difficulty enabled, in advance of the event. 
• It is the rider’s responsibility to ensure that race data is accurately reported to Zwift. During the event, riders are encouraged to turn off any additional equipment that emits a wireless signal (e.g. bluetooth headphones, wireless keyboard/mouse). 

Physical Equipment Regulations

At a minimum, each rider will need to have the equipment outlined below in order to comply with the event rules, regulations and performance verification requirements. It is the riders responsibility to ensure that all data from their devices is accurate throughout the race(s). Riders are advised to test all equipment in advance to avoid any last minute surprises!

An eligible smart trainer, or bike, from the list on the previous page
Cadence - it is mandatory for cadence to be recorded throughout the race by your smart trainer or bike

HR Monitor - it is mandatory to have a functioning HR monitor connected to the game throughout the event

Independent power meter (e.g. pedal/crank based) and head unit for dual recording - dual recording of power and cadence to a head unit is a mandatory requirement for all events

Weighing scales/ tape measure - all riders will be required to provide height and weight videos in the run up to the event

Riders are required to use a single device (PC, mac, tablet or phone). Zwift Companion must not be used for bridging or pairing to the game and riders may not be logged into another instance of Zwift at the same time. It is mandatory to ride on the game version communicated by race control in advance of the event.

Uninterrupted video feed - it is mandatory to provide an uninterrupted video feed of your performances according to the guidelines outlined in the broadcast section.

Dual Recording

• Dual recording is required for all elite events in the Zwift World Series. Instructions for dual recording can be found in Appendix A of the Zwift World Series Rules and Regulations. 
• A power meter must be used as a secondary source of power data and cadence. The power meter must be connected to a separate recording device (e.g. head unit, separate computer). 
• Data on the power meter (power and cadence) must be recorded at 1s intervals throughout the event. 
• Riders must use the default manufacturer factory slope settings on any power meter. 
• The secondary power and cadence file must be submitted within 2 hrs of race completion. 
• If you do not usually dual record your performances in Zwift we strongly recommend dual recording a number of your races in advance of the Zwift World Series to ensure you are familiar with the process. 

PERFORMANCE VERIFICATION PROCESS

In order to compete in events held under this ruleset, riders must provide some data in advance. This both enables faster verification of race results, and an opportunity for potential issues with hardware to be identified and fixed before racing begins.

● Pre-race information must be submitted to the Performance Verification Provider using the webportal:

https://cyclingdatalogic.com/dashboard (Note:  for login problems first try using your known email address and selecting “forgot password” for setting new password.  Otherwise email: help@athleteanalytix.ai )

Please note that Pre-Race Test data must be submitted by the last applicable deadline as outlined in the race instructions.

○ Data other than weight will remain valid for 6 months (Pre-Race Test and indoor efforts data), and 12 months (height and outdoor efforts data) after which updated data will need to be resubmitted.

○ If a rider changes the equipment they use during this period such as the smart trainer and/or power meter, this data will need to be resubmitted. Riders may not switch equipment within 5 days of the start of an event without the Performance Verification Provider’s prior written approval. For the avoidance of doubt, this rule shall also prohibit switching to different equipment versions within 5 days of the start of the event (e.g. different versions of the same smart trainer model).

○ Any videos submitted to the Performance Verification Provider for performance verification purposes may not be otherwise shared or distributed without the Performance Verification Provider’s prior written approval.

The requested pre-race information is as follows:

● A video recording of the rider measuring their weight (see “Pre-Race Weight Video” below).

● A video recording of the rider measuring their height (see “Pre-Race Height Video” below).

● Makes, models, firmware, serial number and calibration information, slope number or calibration factor for power meters and smart trainer, and a photo of the hardware used by the rider.

○ Your smart trainer model, firmware version and serial number can be found in the app for your device;

○ Your power meter model, firmware version, serial number, slope number or calibration factor can be found in the app for your device

● EITHER:

○ A link to the rider’s public Strava data (or if the rider does not use Strava, shared access to equivalent historical online data, such as that stored in TrainingPeaks).

○ FIT files recording the rider’s best 5-15sec, 1min, 3-5min and 10-20min efforts. Files must include both power and heart rate data. Files may be from different rides, but cannot be clipped / altered.

○ Ideally, all efforts should be conducted outdoors on a significant gradient (5% or more).

○ If the rider is located in a region where a long hill is not accessible, a flatter effort will be accepted for the 10-20 min duration effort.

○ If the rider is not able to ride outside at all, then at the sole discretion of the Independent Commissaire, they may be permitted to perform these efforts indoors. Such indoor efforts will be subject to significant additional requirements and scrutiny, and may also require that the rider undergoes independent laboratory testing to help document their physiology.

○ Note that guidance for exporting the original files from Strava can be found at: https://support.strava.com/hc/en-us/articles/216918437-Exporting-your-Data-and-Bulk-Expor t

● AND/OR

○ A video recording of the rider completing a test (see “Pre-Race Test Video” below).

   Pre-Race Weight Video

The full protocol for a rider measuring their weight is as follows:

● Before starting the test:

○ Set up digital scales suitable for measuring body weight in the middle of a room on a hard, even surface, with nothing nearby to hold on to.

○ Find a 10kg manufacturer certified weighted object that you can comfortably carry (e.g. a weights plate or kettlebell). The object must clearly indicate its mass as part of its construction and must be constructed in a way that the mass cannot be changed (e.g. it is not permitted to use a 10kg bag of sand as some sand could be removed from it).

○ Wear cycling shorts and a cycling jersey.

○ Have someone else film for you or film yourself using a mirror so that you are always visible.

○ Weight measurement must be conducted within the two hours before the event start and submitted to the Independent Commissaire within two hours after the event finish.

Note: We appreciate that there are differing views on when an event weigh-in should occur. The current protocol is based on the medical advice received that the reality is that, no matter what the timescale used, some people will choose to try and manipulate their weight through “crash-dieting”. The further the window for doing a weigh-in is from any given event, the more people will be tempted to both do this, and manipulate their weight by a larger amount, using the extended time to attempt to recover from the long-term harm caused by this practice. We understand that performing a regular weigh-in close to the time of racing can sometimes be inconvenient, but on balance, having a ruleset that does not actively promote the even more unhealthy cycle of significant weight-loss and recovery from only doing occasional weigh-ins is the priority. We will continue to review this policy and take medical advice on any potential changes in the future.

● During the test:

○ Start recording a continuous video on any device; for example, a cell phone.

▪ Show your face on the video.

▪ Show yourself performing a live internet search for the current time and date, and the

results that it gives. You must clearly show the URL of the website and refresh the webpage so it is clear that the time and date are current. Screenshots of mobile phone clocks or computer desktop clocks will not be accepted.

▪ Zero the scales and show the zero reading.

▪ Show the portion of the certified weighted object showing the mass of the object.

▪ Place the certified weighted object on the scales and show the reading. Zoom in so that the reading is clear on the video.

▪ Take the object off and show the zero reading.

▪ Pick up the scale and turn it over to show that there is nothing on the underside of

the scale or on the floor. This must be shown clearly on the video.

▪ Place the scale back on the floor approximately 30cm away from the previous location.

▪ Show the zero reading.

▪ Stand on the scales yourself (without the weight) and show the reading. Zoom in so that the reading is clear on the video.

   ▪ Take yourself off and show the zero reading.

▪ Stand on the scales with the certified weighted object and show the reading. Zoom in so

that the reading is clear on the video.

▪ Take yourself off and show the zero reading.

○ Stop recording ● After the test

○ Upload as an unlisted video to YouTube.

▪ Please note that weight measurement videos must remain private. Publication of weight

measurement videos, or otherwise sharing them with third parties, is a violation of these rules.

○ Send the link to the video to the Performance Verification Provider webportal:

https://cyclingdatalogic.com

○ Weight as shown in weight recording video must be entered in the applicable performance verification form in kilograms to the nearest 0.1 kg. Exactly the same weight must be entered into the Event Organiser’s application and used in-game.

An example recording is shown here: https://youtu.be/p2WykUqmLHs. Please do not edit or trim the video. The entire non-stop recording is required.

Pre-Race Height Video

The full protocol for a rider measuring their height is as follows:

● Before starting the test:

o Setupastandardtapemeasureagainstasolid,verticalsurfacesuchasawallordoor-frame.

● During the test:

o Start recording a continuous video on any device;for example,a cellphone.

▪ Show your face on the video.

▪ Stand against the vertical surface.

▪ Show yourself marking the tape measure (using a pencil or piece of tape) at the same height as the top of your head.

▪ Show the marking to highlight your measured height.

▪ Step back to show the entire tape in the picture.

o Stop recording.

● After the test:

○ Upload as an unlisted video to YouTube.

▪ Please note that height measurement videos must remain private. Publication of height

measurement videos, or otherwise sharing them with third parties, is a violation of these rules.

○ Send the link to the video to the Performance Verification Provider webportal:

https://cyclingdatalogic.com

○ Heights must be entered in the applicable form in centimetres to the nearest 1 cm. Exactly the same height must be entered into the Event Organiser’s application and used in-game.

An example recording is shown here: https://youtu.be/lplhrHS9ces. Please do not edit or trim the video. As shown in the example, the entire non-stop recording is required.

Note that a rider’s height only needs to be measured and submitted once at the start of an event series held under this ruleset, and does not need to be resubmitted for each subsequent race in the series.

  

   Pre-Race Test Video

The full protocol for the recorded test is as follows:

● Overview:

○ Avoid strenuous exercise in the 24 hours before the test.

○ Ensure you are well-hydrated and have eaten a meal with carbohydrates three hours prior to the test.

○ You must use the same equipment you plan on using for the event held under this ruleset in which you plan to participate.

○ The test is composed of five efforts: 2-min, 4-min, 12-min and two 15-sec sprints.

○ The efforts can be completed seated or standing or a combination out of both.

○ The two 15-sec sprints should be an all-out maximal effort. Do not pace yourself.

○ You may drink in-between efforts.

● Before starting the test:

○ Set up a camera to simultaneously show you, your bicycle, your trainer and the client event screen throughout. This can be done with a webcam and streaming software (such as Streamlabs OBS), or a mobile device.

○ The recording does not need to be a livestream, but must be recorded to a streaming platform such as Youtube or Twitch

■ Recording may be set to unlisted if desired, and only need be shared with the Independent Commissaire.

■ To avoid copyright issues with the streaming platform, please do not have any music on during the recording.

○ Use the Elite Racing Verification Test available in the FTP Tests workout folder within Zwift.

○ Note that the test is only to measure your power output, cadence and heart rate, and your in- game time/speed is ignored. It therefore does not matter what in-game virtual equipment you use, what virtual terrain the ride is held over, whether you ride with or in the draft of others, or any other action that might change your in-game speed or the time taken to complete any given route.

● During the test:

○ Start continuously streaming from the point of login. In particular, your stream must include the pairing screen and selection of the smart trainer (or smart bike), cadence sensor, and heart rate monitor. If these are automatically selected on logging in, then you must unselect them, and then reselect them.

○ Set up the client application to record the power from the trainer, and a separate cycle computer to record from a separate independent power meter.

○ Set up both the client application and the cycle computer to record cadence and heart rate, but these can be from the same sensor for each.

○ Set the “Power Display” option in the client application settings menu to “instant” (i.e., not “3 second average”).

○ The cycle computer must be set to record at 1 second intervals.

○ Set the Trainer Difficulty to 100% for the full duration of the test.

○ Ride a warm up of your own choosing.

○ The test must be completed with ERG mode turned off and at a Trainer Difficulty of 100%.

○ Complete the Critical Power Test workout per the on screen instructions.

○ After you have finished the workout, exit the application.

○ Stop streaming after you have logged out.

 

   ● After the test:

○ Upload the two FIT files (from the application client and your cycle computer) for the ride and a link to the stream to the Performance Verification Provider webportal: https://cyclingdatalogic.com

Please do not edit or trim the video. The entire non-stop recording, likely to be around 1 hour, is required.

Performing a Zero-Offset for Power Meter Calibration

For most devices the calibration option will be located under Sensor Settings on the device to which the power meter is paired. The Zero-Offset can also be calibrated in the power meter app. Please also refer to your power meter manual for how to perform a Zero-Offset calibration.

Sending Videos to the Performance Verification Provider:

1. Create a YouTube account (https://www.youtube.com/)

2. Upload or Record a video to YouTube by selecting the video camera icon at the top right

(https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/57407)

3. Set uploaded video as Unlisted

(https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/157177?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en)

a. Go to “YouTube Studio”

b. Go to “Videos”

c. For the video you wish to send, go to “Info and Settings”

d. Set privacy to “Unlisted”

4. Upload the link to the Performance Verification Provider webportal: https://cyclingdatalogic.com

a. Play your video

b. Copy the address/URL for the video

c. Paste the address/URL into the form provided in the applicable technical guide or

race instructions

Further Information

The Performance Verification Provider reserves the right to ask for any additional information relevant to verifying a riders performance, using additional protocols as required, providing that these do not create an undue burden on riders, and have a reasonable prospect of helping to determine the outcome of the verification process. During Zwift Elite Racing season the Performance Verification Provider reserves the right to analyze riders’ data outside of Elite Racing events.The rider will be informed if additional data will be analyzed and might ask the rider to help collect data files.

Failure to provide any such information reasonably requested by the Performance Verification Provider may result in disqualification.

In particular, if a rider’s performance in an event cannot be verified using the video recorded test prior to the event, the Independent Commissaire will ask riders to perform a test either in a laboratory approved by the Independent Commissaire, or outdoors with a power meter (with all efforts conducted on a significant gradient of 5% or more).

The only exception to not completing the pre-race testing is if a rider can provide alternative information that will satisfy the requirements of the Performance Verification Provider. This information may include other test protocols for other events or sufficient outdoor riding data. Any requests to submit alternative information should be sent to the Performance Verification Provider by email to help@athleteanalytix.ai